No, I don’t mean that Red Windmill that Christina Aguilara sang about. I mean the new café that has taken the place of Pasqual’s. Very similar idea (walk up counter, order salads by the pound, baked goods) but with a larger selection of food, a bigger inside for seating, coffee and drinks and a beautiful outdoor patio.

I first attended this glorious restaurant in LA. It was new and all the rage when I was in high school. Unfortunately, that was quite a long time ago. Anyway, this place is still a fun spot – especially during happy hour. So when I was trying to think of a place to grab dinner at 8:00 on a Friday, I thought why the heck don’t I try this place out again?

Lemonade has recently appeared at Fashion Island’s “food court.” Started in Los Angeles, it is another one of those places that you order your pre-made food as you walk down the line to a counter at the end. (Think “glorified Souplantation”.) The great part is that the food is actually quite extraordinary: fresh ingredients in ways that other restaurants of this type are just not creating.

In a little strip mall a few blocks away lies a mysterious place, unimportant from the outside but full of delicious flavor and excitement inside. When I first walked into Ritter’s Steam Kettle I was blown away. I expected a fast-casual, counter service, unassuming place. What I found was a cute family restaurant full of steam kettles lining the brick walls. Although nothing fancy or overwhelming, Ritter’s brings a sense of character and style I just wouldn’t expect in Santa Ana. And the food was just as pleasant.

Well kids its supposed to be a scorcher this week (again). I know we were all hoping for fall to arrive, but that’s just not in the cards. I hope you have your A/Cs blasting but if you don’t (or if you are just in the mood) stop by the newest trendy ice cream spot: Snow Station.

Snow Station serves shaved “snow”. No it’s not a snow cone that you pour horribly sweet syrup on top and melts all over your hand. Shaved snow or as I call it ice is just that – shaved. ice. The snow is first flavored – while its still liquid obviously – then frozen in large batches. Then when you place an order, the workers (I don’t know what to call them) put the big batch in a machine that literally shaves the ice like you would gyro meat. It comes off in neat shavings and then you can put toppings or syrups on it. The creations are endless.

up close and personal thai tea flavored shaved ice

Snow Station offers you big, bigger or biggest. You get to choose toppings of all sorts to go on your shaved snow. I made the mistake of putting mochi on it. It was weird, don’t do it. But there are tons of options, and they are quite various; just like any other Pinkberry/Fro-yo spot. Lastly, you can put different sauces on top. I opted out of this option, but my friend got the condensed milk on her Green Tea snow. It was very sweet, but I mean…I didn’t complain.

Green tea, berries and condensed milk

For a refreshing treat that won’t bloat your stomach like ice cream, or make you thirsty like fro-yo (or is this just me?), try Snow Station. It is light, refreshing and has a ton of different options to help you create the perfect sweet treat. It also isn’t badly priced, and is pretty close off the freeway in Tustin. Definitely stop in!

Deep in the heart of Westminster…not really just right off the freeway actually…there is a little shack full of surprises. I stumbled across this hole in the wall by accident really. I was looking for a sandwich shop near(ish) to Costco and yelp had a 4 star 500 something review recommendation: Banh Mi Che Cali.

During the week I always try to keep my meals “light” because on the weekends all hell breaks lose. (Read: drunk munchies and hangover cures.) There is a new fad taking shape in Orange County, and Tender Greens is leading the way.